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Center for Families celebrates NAEYC accreditation

04/26/2011

The Center for Families is proud to have earned NAEYC Accreditation – the mark of
quality for early childhood education programs.

Edmonds Community College’s Center for Families Childcare and Head Start programs
are now accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children
(NAEYC) — the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals which
oversees quality in early childhood education.

The accreditation is testament to the Center for Families’ high-quality programs that
offer a safe and nurturing environment while promoting the development of young children.
The childcare and Head Start programs serve about 100 families each quarter.

“The Center for Families underwent a process of self-study and improvement to attain
this national accreditation and we are pleased to be able to offer this mark of quality
to our families, and to be recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional
standards,” said Center for Families director Lisa Neumann.

“NAEYC Accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program
are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible.”

NAEYC Accredited programs must meet 10 standards: promote positive relationships for
all children and adults; implement a curriculum that fosters all areas of child development;
use effective teaching approaches; provide ongoing assessments of a child’s learning
and development; promote the nutrition and health of children; support a qualified
teaching staff; maintain collaborative relationships with each child’s family; use
community resources to support program goals; provide a safe and healthy physical
environment; and ensure high quality experiences for all children, families, and staff.

NAEYC Accreditation is awarded for five years. During that period, programs submit
annual reports documenting their compliance with NAEYC standards and may receive unannounced
site visits by program assessors.

Edmonds Community College’s Center for Families is home to the college’s on campus
childcare center (infants to five year olds — open to the community when space is
available) and Head Start preschool. It serves as a training facility to model best
practices in childcare and parenting to help expand excellent childcare throughout
the region. Students in Early Childhood Education and Family Support Studies programs
at the college gain practical experience in the best practices for working with children
and families at the center.

In the 25 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely
recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. More than 7,000 programs
are currently accredited by NAEYC — approximately eight percent of all preschools
and other early childhood programs.

“The NAEYC Accreditation system raises the bar for child care centers and other early
childhood programs,” said Jerlean E. Daniel, Ph.D, executive director of NAEYC. “Having
earned NAEYC Accreditation is a sign that the Center for Families is a leader in a
national effort to invest in high-quality early childhood education.”

The NAEYC Accreditation system has set voluntary professional standards for programs
for young children since 1985. In September 2006, the Association revised program
standards and criteria to introduce a new level of quality, accountability, and service
for parents and children in childcare programs. The new standards today reflect the
latest research and best practices in early childhood education and development.

NAEYC is committed to utilizing the newest studies and analysis on positive child
outcomes to ensure young children continue receiving the highest-quality care and
education possible.